Ruth Kamande, a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for the 2015 stabbing of her boyfriend, Farid Mohammed, has recently achieved a significant milestone in her journey of rehabilitation. On Tuesday, Kamande graduated with a law degree during a ceremony held at Kamiti Maximum Prison, an event that has captivated both the public and the legal community. The graduation was a testament to the transformative power of education, even in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Kamande, who was sentenced to death in 2018 for the brutal murder of Mohammed, has turned her life around while incarcerated. Her crime, a result of a violent altercation, saw her stab Mohammed 25 times after discovering that he was HIV positive. According to Kamande, their argument began when she found a yellow card from the Aids Control programme in his room, revealing his HIV status. During their confrontation, Mohammed allegedly threatened to kill both of them to prevent his status from being exposed. In the heat of the moment, Kamande overpowered him, and in an act of self-defense, she stabbed him with a kitchen knife.
Initially convicted and sentenced to death, Kamande’s sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in 2018 after she appealed the judgment. Since then, she has been fighting not only for her freedom but also for justice in her own life. Recently, Kamande filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, seeking a review of her case. Her defense team contends that the circumstances of the murder involved significant elements of domestic violence and self-defense, factors they argue should be reconsidered in light of new legal perspectives.
The graduation ceremony at Kamiti was organized by Justice Defenders, a non-governmental organization that has played a pivotal role in helping inmates like Kamande access legal education. The ceremony was not just a celebration of Kamande’s academic achievement but also a recognition of the broader transformative work being done in Kenyan prisons. Inmates and wardens alike were recognized for their academic pursuits, many of whom had trained as paralegals or lawyers during their time behind bars.
In her speech at the ceremony, Kamande expressed gratitude and hope, saying, “We are here to celebrate this new chapter with a new story which all of you have participated in rewriting. But we are not only here to celebrate graduands from the University of London but graduands who have successfully studied law behind bars. Graduands who are well transformed, rehabilitated, and reformed.” Her words reflect a sense of personal growth and healing, and the belief that education can change the trajectory of one’s life, regardless of past mistakes.
Hamis Mzari, a former convict now practising law, spoke about the broader implications of the ceremony, highlighting the positive impact of education and the possibility for inmates to reintegrate into society as productive citizens. Mzari emphasized, “These are people who have trained as paralegals. I am indeed happy today to celebrate the men and women who have defied all odds to come out and prove to the entire world that something good can come out of prisons.”
Kamande’s story, while marked by tragedy, now serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for redemption. The transition from a convicted murderer to a law graduate is an extraordinary journey that reflects both the individual’s resolve to change and the broader societal efforts to reform the criminal justice system. It is a tale of personal transformation, illustrating that even behind bars, there is hope for a better future.
While Kamande’s legal battles continue, her academic achievement and ongoing efforts to appeal her case demonstrate the resilience of the human spirit. With her law degree in hand, she is not only seeking justice for herself but also aiming to advocate for others who may be trapped by similar circumstances. In a world where second chances are often rare, Ruth Kamande’s story offers a powerful testament to the possibility of redemption through education and self-reinvention.
